WorksheetsThe Flight of Icarus as Told by Salley Benson
Total questions: 12
Worksheet time: 6mins
Which word could be used to describe a main theme of the myth?
wisdom
freedom
escape
fear
Which statement best explains how the setting impacts the plot of the story?
Daedalus saw the air as a means of escape.
Daedalus was a gifted engineer and inventor.
Daedalus was imprisoned in a high tower.
Daedalus tried to escape to Crete but failed.
Read the sentence.
Daedalus was an ingenious artist and was not discouraged by his failures.
The author’s purpose for using this sentence in paragraph 2 of the myth is to —.
explain that Daedalus was a successful artist but afraid of failure
explain that Daedalus was a smart person who does not give up
explain that Daedalus was a smart person but afraid of failure
explain that Daedalus was a successful artist but easily discouraged
Reread the last sentence of paragraph 3 of the selection. What is the effect of this description of Icarus playing on the shore?
It shows the reader that Icarus did not help his father.
It shows that Icarus was happy to be on the island.
It shows that Icarus wanted to be an artist like his father.
It shows that Icarus was a young boy who liked to play.
In paragraph 6 of the selection, the author compares Icarus to a bird. The purpose of this comparison is to —.
foreshadow Icarus’s inability to fly
foreshadow Icarus’s love for his father
foreshadow Icarus’s joy when he flies
foreshadow Icarus’s wings coming off
The word anxiety comes from the Latin word angere, which means “to choke.” What is the effect of the use of the word anxiety in paragraph 8 of the myth?
It shows that Daedalus was angry with Icarus.
It shows that Daedalus wanted to punish Icarus.
It shows that Daedalus was panicked about Icarus.
It shows that Daedalus was afraid that Icarus would fall.
Which detail from the selection supports the key idea that Icarus flew too high?
Up and up Icarus soared . . .
. . . the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off . . .
. . . until he reached the clouds . . .
He cried out to his father . . .
The word exaltation is derived from the Latin word exaltare, which means “raise or elevate.” Its purpose in paragraph 9 is to explain —.
that Daedalus was happy to escape the island
that Icarus was happy to escape the island
why Icarus flew higher and higher in the sky
why Icarus flew into the ocean
Which two details from the text support the idea that a theme of the selection is independence?
Daedalus managed to escape from the tower . . .
He was bewitched by a sense of freedom . . .
Soon Icarus was sure that he, too, could fly . . .
. . . thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom . . .
. . . but he does not control the air . . .
The detail He bade him watch the movements of the birds, how they soared and glided overhead emphasizes that —.
birds were worshipped as gods in ancient Greece
flying by your own power was possible but dangerous
nature was highly respected by ancient Greeks
Daedalus wanted to make wings from birds’ feathers
Against his father’s advice, Icarus flew higher and higher because he _________________.
was eager to prove that he was stronger than his father
often disobeyed his father’s commands
became lost when the sun blinded him
was overtaken by the thrill that came from flying freely
Which sentence states an important theme in this myth?
Only true heroes can perform superhuman acts.
People must know their place in the universe.
Being able to live in freedom is worth any cost.
Doing things with family members is always fun.
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